Etymology Map
Back to all words

Discipline

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means training to obey rules

Where does the word "discipline" come from? It comes from Latin disciplina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
disciplina
Latin · ancient
"teaching, training"
from 'discipulus', pupil, the root of 'disciple'
2
Stage 2 of 3
discipline
Old French · medieval
"penance, training"
monks' penitential whipping
3
Stage 3 of 3
discipline
English · 1200s
"penance; training"
school 'discipline' followed
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Discipline’s story begins in Latin: disciplina meant “teaching, training.” From 'discipulus', pupil, the root of 'disciple'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as discipline. Monks' penitential whipping. It reached English by 1200s as discipline. School 'discipline' followed. Today, discipline means training to obey rules.